The subscription landscape is officially heating up as we close out May. Whether you're flying the green flag of Xbox or the blue flag of PlayStation, both Microsoft and Sony have unloaded arguably their best waves of the year so far. Let's break down the massive additions hitting Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium right now.

Xbox Game Pass: Welcome to Japan

Microsoft's Wave 2 for May 2026 is an absolute monster, anchored by a day-one release racing fans have been begging for.

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Forza Horizon 6 (Available Today)

After years of fan requests, Playground Games is finally taking the Horizon festival to the breathtaking landscapes of Japan. Launching globally today for Cloud, PC, and Series X|S, Forza Horizon 6 offers an enormous open-world driving adventure featuring over 550 real-world cars. The reviews are already backing up the hype—and yes, the rumors are true: one of the showcase events actually features a high-speed showdown against a giant Gundam.

Remnant II (May 20)

If you missed this critically acclaimed co-op soulslike shooter, it’s a massive get for the Game Pass vault. You and up to two friends are plunged into devastated, dynamic worlds filled with ghastly beasts, unique loot, and punishing boss battles. It seamlessly blends methodical ranged and melee combat, making it one of the most rewarding co-op experiences currently available.

Dead Static Drive (May 20)

Pitched as "Grand Theft Cthulhu," this indie survival-horror road trip is perfect for fans of 1980s Americana with a cosmic horror twist. It drops onto Cloud, Console, and PC, blending top-down driving with survival mechanics as you try to outrun a nightmare.

Luna Abyss (May 21)

A major day-one addition, Luna Abyss is a narrative-driven, first-person action-adventure set deep beneath the surface of the mimic moon Luna. Expect fluid platforming mixed with intense bullet-hell combat sequences as you explore lost alien technology and uncover the moon's secrets.

The Rest of the May Release Schedule

  • May 19 - Forza Horizon 6: Available globally today on Cloud, PC, and Series X|S.
  • May 20 - The May 20th Drop: Remnant II, Dead Static Drive, My Friend Peppa Pig, Pigeon Simulator, and the cozy survival game Winter Burrow all unlock in the vault.
  • May 21 - Luna Abyss: Day-One Release (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S).
  • May 26 - Escape Simulator: First-person interactive puzzle rooms hit the service.
  • May 27 - The May 27th Drop: Echo Generation 2 (Day-One sci-fi deckbuilder) and The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition arrive.
  • May 28 - The May 28th Drop: Crashout Crew and the bug-catching game Kabuto Park close out the month as Day-One releases.

PlayStation Plus: Scoundrels and Outlaws

Not to be outdone, Sony's May 19th update for PS Plus Extra and Premium is incredibly strong, headlined by two massive open-world titles that promise hundreds of hours of exploration.

Star Wars Outlaws (PS5)

Ubisoft's massive open-world Star Wars adventure puts you in the boots of Kay Vess as she navigates the criminal underworld between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It’s a huge shift from the Jedi series, blending stealth, varied shooting mechanics, and seamless space traversal. If you held off on it at launch, this is the perfect excuse to dive into the Outer Rim.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4)

Rockstar’s masterpiece returns to the PS Plus catalog. Even years after its initial release, Arthur Morgan's journey through the dying American frontier remains one of the most detailed, lived-in worlds in gaming history. For anyone who didn't grab a permanent copy after it left the service previously, it’s time to saddle up again.

Bramble: The Mountain King (PS4, PS5)

Don't let the fairytale aesthetic fool you. Bramble is a deeply unsettling dark fantasy horror adventure inspired by Nordic folklore. You play as Olle, a young boy trying to rescue his sister from a dreaded troll. It’s atmospheric, intensely creepy, and a fantastic palate cleanser between massive open-world games.

Time Crisis (Premium - PS4, PS5)

For PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers, the Classic Catalog is adding an absolute arcade legend. The 1997 PlayStation port of Time Crisis arrives with modernized features, including up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters to emulate that classic light-gun feel on modern hardware.

Also Arriving on PS Plus Today

Rounding out the May 19th drop for Extra and Premium members:

  • The Thaumaturge (PS5): A story-driven RPG with supernatural detective elements set in alternate-history Warsaw.
  • Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (PS5): An explosive Souls-lite where gods and guns collide.
  • Broken Sword: Shadows of the Templar – Reforged (PS4, PS5): The multi-award-winning point-and-click adventure, completely enhanced.
  • Enotria: The Last Song (PS5): A vibrant action-RPG soulslike heavily inspired by Italian folklore and theatrical themes.